Since the beginning of time Anatolia (Asia Minor) has been a bridge joining the two continents of Europe and Asia. To start with this way only in the geographical sense, later, in historical times it became a point of contact between two different ways of thinking, different cultures, different worlds. It was the region through which the migrations of peoples ebbed and flowed, and yet it established itself also as the home of many civilizations. When one looks at the physical characteristics of the country, one sees how generous nature has been to it: through the diversity of its regions a multi - faceted whole emerges. The rich green of the Anatolian seaboard is in sharp contrast with the popular belief that Turkey is part of a hot and arid zone. This verdant coast of the Black Sea with its abundant rains is separated from the interior of Anatolia by a high mountain - range. Among the products of the region tea and walnuts are important. A semi - tropical vegetation extending to the high slopes of the mountains is decorated by the bright and cheerful architecture of houses that harmonizes with its environment. A completely different region, with two distinct climates lies behind the mountain - range separating the Black Sea region from central Anatolia. This is a climate typical of the steppes with freezing winters and hot and dry summers. The agricultural products (mostly wheat) as well as the type of construction are quite different from those of the northern seaboard. The eastern part of Turkey is broken and undulating, the numerous mountains and stony soil permitting few forests. We could describe Eastern Anatolia as the "Land of Mountains", with its endless unexplored comers ideal for mountain - climbing.

---